A mechanism for energy transfer leading to conformation change in networked nonlinear systems

Understanding mechanisms for conformation change in large networks of biological oscillators leads to comprehension of robustness notions in generic large interconnected dynamical systems. Biological systems are known to be extremely robust to most environmental perturbation while in certain situations they embrace external influence to carry out a particular task. In light of this, the connection with networked or distributed control systems becomes clear. In this paper, we study the dynamical properties of energy transfer through a macromolecule undergoing conformation change. We use a series of dynamical systems tools to identify energy pathways in the system that enable conformation change. We find that during internal resonance, a certain funneling structure appears which channels energy in a manner that enables this conformation change to occur.